Anne Arundel Robots Battle by the Bay

Students compete at the Battle by the Bay FIRST LEGO League robot tournament

By Michelle Steel

The Fire Breathing Rubber Duckies from Annapolis Area Christian School take a break between rounds of robot competition at last year’s battle.

atch robotic teams in action — applying science, technology and quick thinking — at the ­Second Annual Battle by the Bay FIRST LEGO League robot tournament on Saturday, December 8, in the Center for Applied Learning and Technology at Anne Arundel Community College.
Students and their Mindstorm robots compete from 1:30 to 3:30pm with awards at 4pm.
An international program founded by LEGO and technology entrepreneur Dean Kamen, inventor of Segway, FIRST LEGO uses robotics to excite children about science and technology.
“FIRST programs challenge and inspire more than 4,000 students in more than 500 teams across the state,” says Marjorie Rawhouser, an engineering professor at the college, which sponsors the Anne Arundel tournament. Plus, she adds, “it’s fun.”
Team names are fun, too. The Rampaging Mindstorms from Jones Elementary in Severna Park and Terminator from Boys and Girls Club in Annapolis are two of 16 teams competing from local schools and youth groups.
Top performing teams advance to the Maryland state Tournament at UMBC on January 26.